Condensing sliver



P 1945- J. G. KERSHAW ET AL 2,335,443

CONDENSING SLIVER Filed Aug. 11, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 F75 4 .//v VENTORS JoH/V GREEN KERs/m W1 HAROLD F/sHER CZWM fir TOR/YE Y Sept. 25, 19 5- J. G. KERSHAW ET AL CONDENS ING SLIVER Filed Aug. 11, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 //v VEN TO RS Jo/7w GREEN KERSHAW y HAROL 0 F'lSl-IEF? flTTOR/VEY Sept. 1945. J. G. KERSHAW ET A1. 2,385,448

CONDENSING SLIVER Filed Aug. 11, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 a0 82 Fi .6. 64

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N VEN TO RS JOHN GREEN KERSHA w &

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Patented 25,19 45- CONDENSING SLIVER of Canada Application August 11, 1942', Serial No. 454,362

Canada June 20, 1942 Claims. (01. 19-159) Introduction This invention relates to condensing sliver.

In textile manufacture, at various stages of producing yarn, sliver is condensed and put into a can in which it is taken to the location of the next operation. After carding, this condensation is usually effected by calenders or press rolls attached to the card and further in a coiler head by which the sliver is inserted into the can. Several livers coming from the condensing operation after carding are passed through a drawing frame and drafted to form one, condensed further and again put into a can. In each of these condensing operations it is desirable to achieve a high degree of condensation in order that a large amount of sliver may be placed in the can.

Objects Having regard to the foregoing, principal objects of the invention are to provide an improved method of condensing sliver; a method of this type which permits an unusually large quantity of sliver to be put into a can; a can containing an unusually large amount of sliver; a method for carrying out the previous objects, in which the sliver is not injured in being condensed; a method of this nature which results in the improvement of subsequent operations, particularly by reducing piecings; improved sliver; improved condensing apparatus.

According to the present invention, the sliver is passed between a pair of condensing rolls, one of which has a grooveand the other a tongue mating with the groove. In order that the sliver may be fed successfully into the groove, it is first subjected to a special condensing step in which it is caused to assume a ribbonlike form.

,The invention also contemplates the combination with the *previous operations of a step'for inserting a large amount of the condensed sliver into the can, which may be done by packing the coiled sliver into the can under pressure in such a way that the can may be used-intact at the next operation. This step is particularly applicable to the condensing operation following carding.

A preferred apparatus for carrying out'the method described includes a special condensing unit having a funnel portion adapted to condense the sliver into the ribbonlike form -andto retain it in this form until it enters the groov of the pair of condensing rolls.

, Detailed description The invention will now be more fully described by reference to equipment for carrying out a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which: 7 'Figure 1 is a diagrammatic general arrangement in which the present invention is applied to condensing the sliver after carding, the figure illustrating in sequence a pair of calender rolls which receive the carded sliver, a coiler in which the sliver is condensed and a can for receiving the condensed sliver.

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view-of the coiler head shown in Figure 1 with the lid removed.

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the special condensing unit employed in conjunction with the coiler calender rolls.

Figure 4 is a plan view on the same scale as Figure 3 of the condensing unit shown in that figure.

Figure 5 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of the rolls of the coiler head shown in Figure 1 illustrating particularly the manner in which the sliver is condensed as it is fed into and passes between the tongue and groove of the rolls.

Figures 6 and 7 comprise a diagrammatic elevation and a series of plan views, respectively, showing the conformation of the sliver at various stages of condensation indicated by dot and dash lines on Figure 5.

Figures 8 and 9 are enlarged elevations of the v calender rolls of the coiler shown in Figure 2.

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation partly in section, of the head of the coiler shown in Figure 1 illustrating its relationship to the top of the can.-

Figure 11 is a fragmentary elevation showing another embodiment of the pressing means of Figure 10.

Referring in. more detail to Figure 1 of the drawings, the sliver indicated by A is shown passing between smooth calender-or press rolls C as it comes from the card and thence to the head of a coilerD by which it is coiled and pressed into a can E.

The sliver is condensed to a certain extent as it is passed through a trumpet (not shown) between the doifer of the card and the calenders C, then it is taken up through a trumpet II on the head D whence it is passed between the coiler calender rolls as will be explained, and is then coiled into the can.

The coiler is made up of a foot I carrying a bottomplate 8 which supports the can, and a pillar 9 on which the head is mounted. The head comprises a bottom part I! fixed to the pillar 9, a middle part I5 hingedly mounted on the bottom part II and a lid 20 hingedly mounted on the part IS. The cover 20 includes a trumpet ll having a tapering mouth 22 through which the sliver is drawn and a depending funnel 23 by which the sliver is guided towards the condensing rolls. The middle part [5 includes a framework in which are journalled the calender rolls 30 and 3|. 30 is a fixed roll, 3| is a movable roll being journalled in a bracket pivoted to a vertical "UNITED STATES "PATENT OFFICE- pin 35 carried by the part It, for inward movement with respect to the roll 30. A leaf spring 31 mounted on the part I5 serves to urge the roll 3| towards the roll 30. This construction is conventional for coiler heads.

The coiler mechanism is-driven conventionally from a shaft 62 receiving its drive from the card. A bevel gear in the head of this shaft meshes with a bevel gear 63 on the calender roll 30. The roll is provided with a gear 64 meshing with a gear- 65 on the other roll 3|. The bottom plate 8 is also driven from the shaft 62. The drive of all these parts is synchronized so as to coil the sliver into the can in the desired manner.

The roll 3| is provided with a groove 33 and the roll 30 with a tongue 32 mating with the groove. The sliver passes through the groove into which it is pressed by the tongue and thus condensed. i

In order to feed the sliver into the tongue and groove, a special condensing unit F is employed. This unit, best illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 consists of a supporting arm 40 which is mounted as at 4| on the framework of the'middle part IS. The arm 43 carries an extruding member or funnel 42 adapted to form the sliver into a ribbon so that it can be fed into the groove 33. The funnel-42 comprises a tapering mouth," adapted to receive the silver and depending walls 44 and 45 forming a narrow slot or passage through which the sliver must pass on its way to the rolls 30, 3|. The'lower edgesof these walls or gear 6| journalled in the bottom part l2 and suitably drivenfrom the vertical shaft 52. This structure is conventional. On the underside of the part 15 are mounted rubbing pads ill in this case of lignum vitae, adapted to engage the surfaces of the tube gear 6| under certain conditions to be described.

According to another embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 11, instead of the rubbing pads 10 on the bottom of the part I5. a special arrangement including a downwardly extending bracket 80 is attached to the part l5. Mounted on this bracket for pivotal movement is a'downwardly extending shoe or depressor 8! adapted to bear under certain conditions to be described against the edge of the tube gear iii.

The structural features above have been described in conjunction with a coiler head used to condense sliver immediately following carding. It will be understood, that this is only one application and that the condensing operation can also be performed elsewhere in treating the sliver, for instance, following'the drawing frame 'or following the comber. The principle involved is the same and the apparatus quite similar.

described is as follows:

The sliver is initially threaded through the trumpet ll, through the condensing unit F and into, the groove 33 where it is engaged by the lie within the narrowing throat formed between the surfaces of the rolls and are shaped to conform to the curvature of the peripheral surfaces of the rolls as indicated. These edges are positioned very close to the rolls without making actual contact with the roll surfaces and extend as far as possible towards the nip. The tongue 32 actually runs between the walls 44 and 45, these walls at the other side .lying close to the peripheral surface of the. roll 3| adjacent the groove and virtually forming a-continuation of the walls of, the groove. Thus, the structure is adapted to prevent expansion of the sliver from in the groove.

With reference to the figures it will be seen the. time of leaving the passage until it is withthat in the preferred embodiment illustrated, the

lower edges of the walls are arcuate. Their arcs are those of touching circles. The are of the lefthand edge (as viewed in Figure 5) is of a greater diameter than the arc of the right-hand edge and is longer than that of the right-hand edge. The center line of the condensing unit falls somewhat to the left of the point of junction of the edges. It is thus seen that the structure and position of the walls 44 and 45 is such that, at. least adjacent its outlet, the sliver constricting passage of the unit F is substantially the width of the groove 33 and its transverse dimension is undefined by the walls 44 and 45 and only defined adjacent to the outlet by the surfaces of the groove 33 and of the tongue 32.

To assist in starting the sliver through the calender rolls, a stripping device is provided. This consists of an arm 46 suitably mounted on the frame of the middle part l5 and including a finger 41 to conform to the working surface of the groove 33 and to fit therein without touching.

This finger includes a tapered end 48 adapted to strip the sliver from the groove as it is fed initially. The sliver after passing through the rolls 33, 3:, is taken up by the coiler tube 50 which is mounted for rotation on a tube wheel tongue 32 :and thus drawn through the coiler. As the end of the sliver passes round the groove 33 it reaches the finger 41 by which it is stripped from the groove and fed into the tube 50. Then the sliver proceeds continuously from the card and passes progressivelybetween the calender rolls C, then to the coiler head, through the trumpet II and through the special condensing unit F by which the sliver is virtually formed, during its passage therethrough, into a ribbon and thence intothe groove 33 m which it is pressed into very thin rectangular form by the working faces of the tongue 32 and the groove 33. The rotation of the rolls C draws the sliver from-the trumpet adjacent to the card, and the rotation of the rolls 30, 3|, draws the sliver into the coiler head from the trumpet I l In order to illustrate the condition of the sliver at various stages of treatment, reference is made to the diagrammatic illustrations of Figures 5, 6 and '7. The lines of Figures 6 and 7 illustrate positions relative to the apparatus of Figure 5. The form of the sliver is illustrated diagrammatically in elevation and in cross section respectively in Figures 6 and 7, at the various stages of treatment these stages corresponding substantially to the positions and indicated relative to the apparatus shown in Figure 5.

As it comes from the calender rolls, the sliver is circular in cross section. As it passes from the trumpet ll, its diameter is decreased somewhat, but immediately it leaves the narrow end of this trumpet it follows its tendency to expand to its original cross section and bunches out for a brief interval but is quickly brought under the control of the unit F. The funnel member permits the sliver to follow its tendency to expand by allowing it to do so in one direction as indicated in Figures 6 and 7 while conof leaving'the. confining influences of the walls figures, there can be substantially no intermediate expansion in the sliver between the moment I4 and 40 and coming under the confining influence of the walls of the groove. There is. thus no chance of the sliver becoming damaged between the sharp edges of the tongue and the groove as the rolls rotate. Then, as the silver becomes engaged by the faces of the tongue 32 and the groove 33 it isprogressively confined also in the other cross sectional dimension while 4 preve'nted'from sideway expansion 'by the walls of the groove 33. The roll 3| is urged towards the roll 30 by the spring 31 and thus the tongue drawings, dimensions of the parts of a particular apparatus and of sliver at different stages of treatment in this apparatus indicated by reference to Figure bare given as follows:

' of sliver. The rubbing pads I in the coiler of Apparatus ggg g g Approximate size Coiler calendars 30, 81 Diameter (working face to working face) 2". Width of groove 33 Depth oi groove 33 Ms". Trumpet ll, throat Circular Ingtgrnal diameter 0 Sliver -pcrition t. uncondensed sliver before Substantially Diameter-1".

entering the trumpet ll. circular. u. at the throat end 0! the .....do... Diameter-lie".

trumpe v. withins ial condensing Substantially be X 1.

unit be ore engagement rectangular. with rolls 30, 31. w. part way in between the is" 5 V1 or groove 33 and to e 32. 2. within the nip 0 groove Substantially 96" X Ma.

33 and tongue 32. rectangular. 1. part way out from groove is X M or and tongue. 2. aiterlea contact with Substantially Diameter it.

calender re 30, 31. circular.

Coiling and laying into a can After leaving the coiler head, the sliver is.

progressively laid into the can E by the rotating action of the tube I and the rotation of the can by the bottom plate 8 on the coiler foot. The

condensed sliver coils pile up to the top of the v can until their upward movement is limited by the bottom of the tube gear 6|. For a time, depending on the weight of the coiler head, this results in forcing down the lower coils of sliver but when the upper pressure of the sliver becomes suflicient, it will raise the gear 6! until it contacts the pad 10 or alternatively, the depressor 8! so as to lift the coiler head. This is an indication that the can is full. When the optimum capacity of a particular size of can has been determined, a timing device can be arranged in conjunction with the coiling operation so that the latter is halted before the can has been filled to the desired degree.

In some types of coilers the weight on the head is suflicient to exert the requisite pressure on the sliver so as to fill the can to the desired degree. With other types of coilers, it is necessary to weight the head additionally.

Results According to the process described, the sliver is condensed to a considerably greater extent than is the practice in the'textile industry at the present time. Also, a considerably greater the particular example described are set at about .005" (55000) clear of the top of the teeth of the tube gear. At about 14 lbs. weight of sliver in the can, the upward pressure commences to lift the tube gear against the rubbing pads. The weight of the coiler top, in the neighborhood of 42 lbs. (the middlepart l5 and the lid 20) thus reduces the tendency to lift until about 18 lbs. sliver have been laid in the can.

It is good practice to doff cans before this point is reached. resulting in a well formed can containing, approximately 18 lbs. of American cotton, the equivalent amount of approximately 19 lbs.

of Egyptian cotton, or equivalent amounts of other cotton. It is possible .to creel this can behind the next machine in the process, without removing any of the sliver from the top because the can bottom plate is so set as to induce friction between the condensed sliver and the sides of the can.

This friction, which is caused by reason of the fact that the sliver has been forced into the can under pressure, reduces any upward surge of the coils of sliver when the can is dotted. The resultant pressure of the can wall against the tightly coiled sliver retains the latter within the can. There is no tendency for the sliver to jump out as there would be if not properly coiled into the can and compressed. Thus the can is ready to be used intact at the next operation.

The result of this process is the production of a can of sliver containing at least up to about 18 lbs. of American cotton' or in other words, substantially the equivalent of a 50 grain sliver about 2520 yards in length by approximately /2" in diameter, where the can is about 11%" in internal diameter by about 36" deep, or a proportionate amount for other sized cans. This is an advance over trade practice where about 10 /2 lbs. is substantially the normal content of a can, of the size indicated giving about 1470 yards in length of 50 grain sliver of a much greater than V diameter.

It would be possible to put more than 18 lbs. in a can of the size described by the present method, but more than 18 lbs. is not considered practical as it is desirable to keep the sliver length uniform, so as to eliminate piecings in subsequent operations.

' Advantages The great advantage of this method is that it makes available to the cotton manufacturer 9. can of sliver containing a uniformly large amount of American cotton which can be used in the next operation in its entirety. The next operation may be a drawing frame or, as in this case, a lap winder. This winder is fed by 16 card cans and will produce 16 laps of about 18 lbs. each. These laps will be creeled on a lap-back drawing frame which will produce approximately from each lap one drawing can containing 18 lbs. In this way all piecing up to the flier frame will be eliminated.

The quantity of sliver which it is possible to put in a can by this method is much greater than previously believed possible. The sliver has no tendency to jump out of the can as might be expected. The resultant pressure of the can aesaaae' walls against the coiler and compressed sliver retain it in place. The can may be used intact at the next operation. The quality of this silver is high since it is not injured inany way during treatment. The quality of the yarn resulting from the sliver made in this way is also high, as piecing is eliminated to a large degree. The condensing apparatus has been simplified. Now the condensing operation can be performed on small rolls suchias the calender rolls of a card coiler or the calender rolls of a drawing frame. The simple condensing unit of the present invention, employing the principle of flattening the sliver into a ribbon permits it to be fed between the tongue and groove of such small rolls.

It will be understood that, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims, various modifications may be made in the specific expedients described. The latter are illustrative only and not offered in a restricting sense, it being desired that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as may be required by the state of the prior art.

The sub-titles used throughout th specification are merely to simplify reference thereto" and should otherwise be disregarded.

We claim:

1. A condensing unit for feeding sliver between the mating tongue and groove of cooperating press rolls, comprising, a support, a pair of walls connected to said support and extending into the throat between the rolls, said walls adapted to form therebetween a narrow passage. for the sliver, said walls extending from an entrance point up to points within the throat between the rolls and closely adjacent the surfaces thereof, each wall having a first edge conforming to the face of the grooved roll, the inner face of said edge registering substantially with the wall of the groove at points adjacent the surface of the roll, each wall having a second edge conforming to the surface of the tongued roll and meeting the first edge at a point just clearing the point of juncture of the surfaces of the tongued and grooved rolls, the groove lying between a portion of the walls, the clearance between the edges of the walls and the surfaces of the rolls being such as to confine the sliver from intermediate expansion.

2. A device for condensing sliver for use in connection with calender rolls having respectivelyv a mating tongue and groove, comprising, a sliverreceiving portion having an inlet opening therein, a pair of spaced apart walls extending from said portion, said walls being so dimensioned and positioned as to form a sliver-confining passage which is sufficiently narrow in one dimension to condense the sliver in that dimension substantially to the width of the said groove and which is sufliciently extensive in a transverse dimension I to allow expansion of thesliver in that dimenripheral surface of the tongue of the tongued roll and to meet said one edge at a point inwardly of the peripheral surface of said tongue, said edges forming therebetween an. outlet to said passage, each wall being adapted to form substantially a continuation of a side of said groove.

being so dimensioned and positioned as to form a sliver-confining Pa sage which is sufficiently narrow in one dimension to condense the silver in that dimension substantially to the width of the said groove and which is sufficiently extensiv in a transverse dimension to allow expansion of the sliver in that dimension, each of said walls terminating remotely from the sliver-receiving portion in a pair of convergent edges, one edge of each pair being adapted to conform to the peripheral surface of the grooved roll, the inner face of said one edge being adapted to register substantially with the wall of the groove at points adjacent the peripheral surface of the rooved roll, the second edge of each pair being adapted to lie below the peripheral surface of the tongue of the tongued roll and to meet said one edge at a point inwardly of the peripheral surface of said tongue, said edges forming therebetween an outlet to said passage, each wall being adapted to form substantially a continuation of a side of said groove, and means for holding said condensing unit in operative position in said throat. A

4. A coiler head, .comprising in combination, a pair of cooperating calender rolls forming therebetween a throat, a groove on one roll mating with a tongue on the other, means urging said rolls together, a condensing unit adapted to lie within said throat and to cooperate with said rolls, said unit including a sliver-receiving portion having an inlet opening therein, a pair of spaced apart walls .extending from said portion, said walls being so dimensioned and positioned as to form a slivereconfining passage which is sufliciently narrow in one dimension to condense the sliver in that dimension substantially to the width of the said groove and which is sufllciently extensive in a transverse dimension to allow expansion of the sliver in that dimension, each of said walls terminating remotely from the sliver-receiving portion in a pair of convergent edges, one edge of each pair being adapted to conform to the peripheral surface of the grooved roll, the

inner face of said one edge being adapted to register substantially with the wall of the groove at points adjacent the peripheral surface of the grooved roll, the second edge of each pair being adapted to lie below the peripheral surface of the tongue of the tongued roll and to meet said one edge at a point inwardly of the peripheral surface of said tongue, said edges forming therebetween an outlet to said passage, each wall being adapted to form substantially a continuation of a side of said groove, and means for holding said condensing unitin operative position in said throat.

5. A device, according to claim 2, including an arm extending from said sliver-receiving portion, said arm being adapted for supporting said device in operative position adjacent said rolls.

JOHN GREEN -KERSHA HAROLD FISHER. 

